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Saway BF, Courtney J, Barley J, Frankel B, Hofstetter C, Kalhorn S. Contrast enhanced ultrasound for traumatic spinal cord injury: an overview of current and future applications. Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2024; 10:31. [PMID: 38664470 PMCID: PMC11045808 DOI: 10.1038/s41394-024-00644-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Systematic review. OBJECTIVE Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an imaging modality that has only recently seen neurosurgical application. CEUS uses inert microbubbles to intraoperatively visualize vasculature and perfusion of the brain and spinal cord in real time. Observation and augmentation of spinal cord perfusion is vital component of the management of traumatic spinal cord injury, yet there are limited imaging modalities to evaluate spinal cord perfusion. CEUS provides an intraoperative imaging tool to evaluate spinal cord perfusion in real time. The objective of this review is to evaluate the current literature on the various applications and benefits of CEUS in traumatic spinal cord injury. SETTING South Carolina, USA. METHODS This review was written according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. RESULTS 143 articles were found in our literature search, with 46 of them being unique. After excluding articles for relevance to CEUS and spinal cord injury, we were left with 10 papers. Studies in animal models have shown CEUS to be an effective non-invasive imaging modality that can detect perfusion changes of injured spinal cords in real time. CONCLUSION This imaging modality can provide object perfusion data of the nidus of injury, surrounding penumbra and healthy neural tissue in a traumatized spinal cord. Investigation in its use in humans is ongoing and remains promising to be an effective diagnostic and prognostic tool for those suffering from spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Fabian Saway
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Neurosurgery, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - James Courtney
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, 32303, USA
| | - Jessica Barley
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Neurosurgery, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Bruce Frankel
- Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA
| | | | - Stephen Kalhorn
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Neurosurgery, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
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Liang X, Wang X, Chen Y, He D, Li L, Chen G, Li J, Li J, Liu S, Xu Z. Predictive value of intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound in functional recovery of non-traumatic cervical spinal cord injury. Eur Radiol 2024; 34:2297-2309. [PMID: 37707550 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10221-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the ability of intraoperative CEUS to predict neurological recovery in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). METHODS Twenty-six patients with DCM who underwent laminoplasty and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) were included in this prospective study. The modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scores and MRI were assessed before surgery and 12 months postoperatively. The anteroposterior diameter (APD), maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC), and area of signal changes in the cord at the compressed and normal levels were measured and compared using MRI and IOUS. Conventional blood flow and CEUS indices (time to peak, ascending slope, peak intensity (PI), and area under the curve (AUC)) at different levels during IOUS were calculated and analysed. Correlations between all indicators and the neurological recovery rate were evaluated. RESULTS All patients underwent IOUS and intraoperative CEUS, and the total recovery rate was 50.7 ± 33.3%. APD and MSCC improved significantly (p < 0.01). The recovery rate of the hyperechoic lesion group was significantly worse than that of the isoechoic group (p = 0.016). 22 patients were analysed by contrast analysis software. PI was higher in the compressed zone than in the normal zone (24.58 ± 3.19 versus 22.43 ± 2.39, p = 0.019). ΔPI compress-normal and ΔAUC compress-normal of the hyperechoic lesion group were significantly higher than those of the isoechoic group (median 2.19 versus 0.55, p = 0.017; 135.7 versus 21.54, p = 0.014, respectively), and both indices were moderately negatively correlated with the recovery rate (r = - 0.463, p = 0.030; r = - 0.466, p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS Signal changes and microvascular perfusion evaluated using CEUS during surgery are valuable predictors of cervical myelopathy prognosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT In the spinal cord compression area of degenerative cervical myelopathy, especially in the hyperechoic lesions, intraoperative CEUS showed more significant contrast agent perfusion than in the normal area, and the degree was negatively correlated with the neurological prognosis. KEY POINTS • Recovery rates in patients with hyperechoic findings were lower than those of patients without lesions detected during intraoperative ultrasound. • The peak intensity of CEUS was higher in compressed zones than in the normal parts of the spinal cord. • Quantitative CEUS comparisons of the peak intensity and area under the curve at the compressed and normal levels of the spinal cord revealed differences that were inversely correlated to the recovery rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuankun Liang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Xianxiang Wang
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Yanfang Chen
- Outpatient Office, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Danni He
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Lujing Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jiachun Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Shaoyu Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
| | - Zuofeng Xu
- Department of Medical Ultrasonics, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, No. 628 Zhenyuan Road, Shenzhen, 518107, China.
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Soloukey S, Verhoef L, Generowicz BS, De Zeeuw CI, Koekkoek SKE, Vincent AJPE, Dirven CMF, Harhangi BS, Kruizinga P. Case report: High-resolution, intra-operative µDoppler-imaging of spinal cord hemangioblastoma. Front Surg 2023; 10:1153605. [PMID: 37342792 PMCID: PMC10277559 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2023.1153605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Surgical resection of spinal cord hemangioblastomas remains a challenging endeavor: the neurosurgeon's aim to reach total tumor resections directly endangers their aim to minimize post-operative neurological deficits. The currently available tools to guide the neurosurgeon's intra-operative decision-making consist mostly of pre-operative imaging techniques such as MRI or MRA, which cannot cater to intra-operative changes in field of view. For a while now, spinal cord surgeons have adopted ultrasound and its submodalities such as Doppler and CEUS as intra-operative techniques, given their many benefits such as real-time feedback, mobility and ease of use. However, for highly vascularized lesions such as hemangioblastomas, which contain up to capillary-level microvasculature, having access to higher-resolution intra-operative vascular imaging could potentially be highly beneficial. µDoppler-imaging is a new imaging modality especially fit for high-resolution hemodynamic imaging. Over the last decade, µDoppler-imaging has emerged as a high-resolution, contrast-free sonography-based technique which relies on High-Frame-Rate (HFR)-ultrasound and subsequent Doppler processing. In contrast to conventional millimeter-scale (Doppler) ultrasound, the µDoppler technique has a higher sensitivity to detect slow flow in the entire field-of-view which allows for unprecedented visualization of blood flow down to sub-millimeter resolution. In contrast to CEUS, µDoppler is able to image high-resolution details continuously, without being contrast bolus-dependent. Previously, our team has demonstrated the use of this technique in the context of functional brain mapping during awake brain tumor resections and surgical resections of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). However, the application of µDoppler-imaging in the context of the spinal cord has remained restricted to a handful of mostly pre-clinical animal studies. Here we describe the first application of µDoppler-imaging in the case of a patient with two thoracic spinal hemangioblastomas. We demonstrate how µDoppler is able to identify intra-operatively and with high-resolution, hemodynamic features of the lesion. In contrast to pre-operative MRA, µDoppler could identify intralesional vascular details, in real-time during the surgical procedure. Additionally, we show highly detailed post-resection images of physiological human spinal cord anatomy. Finally, we discuss the necessary future steps to push µDoppler to reach actual clinical maturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Soloukey
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Luuk Verhoef
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Chris I. De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Royal Dutch Academy for Arts and Sciences, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Biswadjiet S. Harhangi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Neurosurgery, Park MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Han B, Zhang L, Jia W. Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Resection of Spinal Cord Gliomas. World Neurosurg 2023; 171:e83-e92. [PMID: 36427693 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.11.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound (iCEUS) is a relatively new technique for visualizing brain gliomas and can help achieve maximum resection, but its potential in evaluation of spinal cord gliomas has not been well defined. The aim of this study was to describe the iCEUS characterization of and evaluate its role in visualizing intramedullary gliomas. METHODS A retrospective review of patients who underwent intramedullary glioma resection with iCEUS guidance from 2019 to 2021 was conducted. An offline analysis was performed to compare and characterize the perfusion features of each glioma. RESULTS This study included 36 patients who underwent iCEUS for spinal cord gliomas. iCEUS was performed successfully, and all gliomas were clearly identified. The distribution of contrast agent showed different dynamic phases (arterial, peak, and washout) from those observed in brain gliomas, generally appearing slower and less intense in spinal cord gliomas. iCEUS helped highlight intramedullary gliomas, each of which demonstrated specific iCEUS features depending on the grade. Gross total resection was achieved in 20 patients (55.6%), subtotal resection was achieved in 11 patients (30.6%), and partial resection was achieved in 5 patients (13.8%). CONCLUSIONS ICEUS adds valuable information in highlighting spinal cord gliomas in real time. It allows the neurosurgeon to assess the anatomical location of the glioma and delineate the tumor margins. iCEUS could play a potentially important role in guiding spinal cord glioma resection. Further study with more cases is needed to better understand the microbubble distribution dynamics in intramedullary gliomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Hebei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Langfang, China; National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenqing Jia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Patel MR, Jacob KC, Parsons AW, Chavez FA, Ribot MA, Munim MA, Vanjani NN, Pawlowski H, Prabhu MC, Singh K. Systematic Review: Applications of Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery. World Neurosurg 2022; 164:e45-e58. [PMID: 35259500 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.02.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to increased practicality and decreased costs and radiation, interest has risen for intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) in spinal surgery applications; however, few studies have provided a robust overview of its use in spinal surgery. We synthesize findings of existing literature on usage of iUS in navigation, pedicle screw placement, and identification of anatomy during spinal interventions. METHODS Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were utilized in this systematic review. Studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases using the search string. Abstracts mentioning iUS in spine applications were included. Upon full-text review, exclusion criteria were implemented, including outdated studies or those with weak topic relevance or statistical power. Upon elimination of duplicates, multi-reviewer screening for eligibility, and citation search, 44 manuscripts were analyzed. RESULTS Navigation using iUS is safe, effective, and economical. iUS registration accuracy and success is within clinically acceptable limits for image-guided navigation (Table 2). Pedicle screw instrumentation with iUS is precise with a favorable safety profile (Table 2). Anatomical landmarks are reliably identified with iUS, and surgeons are overwhelmingly successful in neural or vascular tissue identification with iUS modalities including standard B mode, doppler, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CE-US) (Table 3). iUS use in traumatic reduction of fractures properly identifies anatomical structures, intervertebral disc space, and vasculature (Table 3). CONCLUSION iUS eliminates radiation, decreases costs, and provides sufficient accuracy and reliability in identification of anatomical and neurovascular structures in various spinal surgery settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhav R Patel
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Kevin C Jacob
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Alexander W Parsons
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Frank A Chavez
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Max A Ribot
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Mohammed A Munim
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Nisheka N Vanjani
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Hanna Pawlowski
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Michael C Prabhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612
| | - Kern Singh
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W. Harrison St. Suite #300, Chicago, IL, 60612.
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